It’s been 3 days and nights since the Lord Jesus was crucified and put into the tomb. Peter has been in hiding when Mary comes to with news about the tomb.
Mary, Mary, what are you saying?
Mary, get a hold of yourself. You were at the tomb?
Now you say our Lord’s body is gone?
An Angel told you the Lord is going to see us in Galilee?
Mary, please get a hold of yourself … you must be mistaken … you probably went to the wrong tomb!
The Lord’s tomb is sealed. Pilate, himself sealed it and placed guards in front of it. Of course, that’s it, in the darkness you must have gone to the wrong tomb.
John surely you don’t believe her. Wait, John wait, where are you going?
Wait, wait for me.
(panting Peter follows after John, who arrives at the tomb first)
John, look, the stone … it’s been rolled away. Where are the guards?
Wait here. I’m going in.
John, look … He’s gone! Look here’s the linen cloth His body was wrapped in. An there the napkin that was wound about His head. Look at it. Just as someone very carefully unwound it and laid it apart from the rest. What does this mean?
(Later, upon returning to the others)
Brethren … Brethren …. Please be quite, please! Let me speak
I’ll be the first to admit … I’m at a lost to explain all that’s happened …. But it can be explained …
Let’s try to remember all the Lord taught us … put it all together and I’m sure we will understand.
You all know, how on the night Judas betrayed our Lord and He was arrested, I also betrayed Him. Oh, yes it’s true Judas sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver, but I, yes I, did much worse… I deigned Him.
I said I never knew Him. I will never forget the look in His eyes as I swore and cursed … deigning I knew Him… Three times …three times before the cock crowed! I would give my life to live those moments over, to change them …. To proudly proclaim … He’s my Lord. HE’S MY LORD … But it’s too late.
(a week passes, the eleven are gathered in the upper room)
Just 7 days ago, The Lord entered Jerusalem and was hailed as King. Then, betrayed, crucified, and buried. Then, 3 days after He was buried, some women, along with Joann, Salome, Mary, (James’ Mother), and Mary Magdalene go to the tomb, only to find it empty. When they reported back to us, John and I raced to the tomb, supposing they were mistaken .. but IT WAS EMPTY, and we returned here.
(a week passes, the eleven are gathered in the upper room)
What are we going to do? Others have reported seeing the Lord. First, Mary Magdalene says she spoke with Him at the tomb. He told her He was to ascend to the Father (in Heaven). He then appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus … They returned here that very evening to tell us how He opened the Scripture to them and as He was breaking bread with them for the evening meal, He showed them that He was the Lord.
Brethren, as we are gathered here in the upper room, ye look to me for an explanation …. But I have none … It’s impossible. Brethren I – – – –
WHAT’S WRONG? – What is it? — You act like you see a Ghost —
My LORD and GOD — It is you ….